Oatcakes (or breed as it is traditionally called in the Northeast shoulder of Scotland. Incidentally, bread is called loaf) are cooked on a gridle and look like biscuits about 1/4 inch thick and can either be triangular or circular in shape.
Oatcakes are served with haggis, stovies, cheese, etc.
Ingredients:
4 oz medium oatmeal
1 tablespoon melted beef dripping, bacon fat or vegetable oil
Pinch of salt
2-3 tablespoons boiling water
Makes 4 large or 8 small triangles
Method:
Sprinkle a baking board with medium oatmeal.
Mix together the ingredients and form into a ball.
Place this onto a baking board that has been sprinkled with a little medium oatmeal and roll out the mix to form a round about 1/4 inch thick.
Cut into four triangles.
Work quickly since the mixture becomes difficult to work with if it becomes cold (it will break and crack).
Put the oatcakes on a hot gridle and bake on one side only.
Once the edges curl they are cooked and now must be placed on a rack or tea-towel and allowed to dry off in a warm room (or in the oven on a rack).
Variations:
In the recent past oatcake manufacturers have added extra ingredients to their oatcakes to extend the range available in shops.
These include mixed herbs, ground black pepper or even cheese.
Once you have tried plain oatcakes why not try experimenting with the ingredients.